In this episode of Toni Unleashed, Toni welcomes Geraldine Brouwer, co-founder of Big Country Raw, to discuss how a small family operation in Canada grows into one of the country's largest raw pet food brands. Geraldine shares how her own dogs inspire her raw feeding journey, from making food in her garage with her husband, Robert, to expanding into the United States.

Toni and Geraldine explore the evolution of Big Country Raw's recipes, the importance of complete and balanced nutrition, and the challenges of maintaining food safety and quality as the company grows. They discuss why the brand incorporates supplemental vitamins and minerals, how its packaging makes raw feeding more convenient, and the importance of transparency in pet food manufacturing.

The conversation also covers the benefits of introducing fresh food early in a pet's life, incorporating raw food into an existing diet, and adjusting feeding amounts to individual needs. With more raw feeding options becoming available, Geraldine shares her hopes for the industry's future and Big Country Raw's continued expansion across North America.

Returning guest Dr. Carmela Panza joins Toni once again to tackle some of the most common concerns pet parents bring into the vet's office. From recurring ear infections and itchy skin to digestive problems, Toni and Carmela discuss why simply treating symptoms may not address what's causing them in the first place.

Carmela shares her integrative approach to pet health, emphasizing nutrition, gut health, supplementation, exercise, environment, and lifestyle. They also dig into vaccines, flea and tick prevention, chronic medications, and the importance of considering each pet individually rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Throughout the conversation, Toni and Carmela encourage pet parents to ask questions, educate themselves, and advocate for their animals. Their message is simple: pay attention to what your pet's body is telling you, look beyond the immediate symptom, and don't be afraid to seek another perspective when something doesn't feel right.

In this episode, Toni is joined once again by Emily Taylor to recap their recent volunteer trip to Save a Friend Puerto Rico. From the moment they returned home, the rescue was faced with another heartbreaking reality—more abandoned puppies and a constant influx of dogs needing medical care and forever homes. Toni and Emily reflect on the emotional highs and lows of working alongside Marla and the rescue team, and why the need for support never stops.

The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what their days in Puerto Rico actually involve, from caring for dogs with medical needs and spending time with long-term shelter residents to taking adoptable dogs on adventures like rainforest hikes to build confidence and improve their chances of finding homes. Toni also shares updates on some of the individual dogs they met and the lasting impression they left.

Throughout the episode, Toni and Emily discuss the importance of rescue work, responsible adoption, and using their platform to shine a light on organizations making a difference. It's an honest reflection on the challenges of animal rescue, the resilience of the dogs, and the people who continue showing up to give them a better future.